Top 5 Event Trends for 2016

January 18th, 2016

The holidays are over and 2016 is charging forward and focused on what’s to come in the year ahead. From tech to food trends, January attempts to give a glimpse into the future and what to expect from all industries. The planning and execution of special creative events is no different. Each year is a new chance to top the last and a clean slate to fill with new concepts, fresh ideas and inspiration.

The Keep Memory Alive Event Center is no stranger to lavish events. From elaborate weddings to showstopping galas or corporate gatherings, the event center has had the honor to “wow” guests for every occasion. In 2016, these top five event trends and tips will help in building the biggest and best events yet.

Event Tech – Everything is getting digital. From digital “swag bags” to banners and social walls for live sharing, the event world has never been more trackable and interactive. Live crowd-streaming apps such as Periscope enhance the event experience by providing a platform through which guests can instantly share, stream and document their experiences. Event tech, and mobile event apps especially, are becoming more and more popular and for good reason. From the simplicity of digital guest check-ins to the more complex tech of measuring in-event engagements, mobile apps will be making waves in the sea of trends for events in 2016.

Sustainability – No event is ever complete without a food and/or beverage element. Whether it’s passed hors d’oeuvres or a full on buffet, guests tend to enjoy the perks of attendance and look forward to fresh, quality food. This year the focus will shift from quantity to quality as more and more people choose healthier, more organic diets. The National Restaurant Association surveyed nearly 1,600 professional chefs to identify the hot food and beverage trends for 2016 and found locally sourced meats & seafood, chef driven fast-casual concepts, locally grown produce and natural ingredients among the most popular.

Color of the Year – Pantone officially introduced a dual color palette for 2016’s color of the year which incorporates Rose Quartz, pale pink and a dusty light blue named “Serenity.” The ethereal color combination is guaranteed to make an appearance come wedding season.

Social Engagement – Las Vegas’ The Sunday stats state that there are currently 3.2 billion internet users worldwide. This number, according to futurists, will increase to 4.7 billion by 2035 with the average number of connected devices per person increasing from 1.7 in 2016 to 16 per person in 2035. Needless to say, if your event isn’t making waves in social conversations, something is wrong. The best events won’t just be attended – they will be talked, tweeted, instagrammed, live streamed and posted about on multiple platforms – the best events this year will give their guests something amazing to talk about.

Experience over Everything – It used to be the promise of gift bags that would incentivize guests to hurry up and RSVP. Today however, brands are choosing to invest more time and money into creating a unique and personalized experience rather than send guests home with tchotchkes. From live performance and interactive art to slow motion photo booths or social media competitions, incorporating interactive elements into an event will send guests home with something more than another coffee mug to add to their already mismatch collections.